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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Julia Kollewe

Jailed Lego collector’s insurance scam highlights UK’s £1.3bn fraud problem

Matthew Johnson was jailed for 28 months for falsely claiming that MacBooks, televisions, gaming consoles, fishing equipment and collectible Lego sets had been stolen.
Matthew Johnson was jailed for 28 months for falsely claiming that MacBooks, televisions, gaming consoles, fishing equipment and collectible Lego sets had been stolen. Photograph: City of London police Photograph: City of London Police

An insurance fraudster who pocketed more than £14,000 for the supposed theft of Lego sets, fishing gear and gaming consoles was behind one of last year’s most high-profile bogus claims.

Investigators uncovered £1.34bn of fraud in 2025, a 14% increase on the year before, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

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